Hardware Ready Ready to Bench?
Google and XREAL have officially unveiled the XREAL AURA, the first wired extended reality (XR) glasses based on Android XR. The announcement marks a new approach in the XR glasses market, distinguishing itself from competing devices such as Meta’s Ray-Ban Display.
The key feature of the XREAL AURA is the separation of electronics from the frame. Instead of integrating all components inside the lenses, the device uses an external puck connected via a cable that serves as the central processing unit and battery. This design allows the lenses to remain lightweight, weighing less than 95 grams, ensuring comfort even during prolonged use.
XREAL AURA: why it matters
Inside the puck is Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon Reality Elite processor, which debuts with the XREAL AURA. This hardware combination should provide sufficient spatial computing power to handle complex applications without weighing down the frame.
Being based on Android XR, the glasses offer access to the Gemini assistant and the Google Play Store, with over 150 applications specifically designed for extended reality. Gemini does not limit itself to voice responses but is able to analyze both the real environment and the content displayed on the screen, highlighting specific elements upon user request.
In terms of productivity, the XREAL AURA allows users to open and manage multiple windows simultaneously, resizing and positioning them freely in space. It is possible to use a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse or leverage the puck as a trackpad for intuitive control.
The Wired Mirroring function extends usage possibilities by connecting the device to a laptop via a USB-C cable with video output. In this way, the computer screen is projected inside the glasses as a movable window, visible only to the wearer of AURA, ensuring privacy and security in public environments.
What changes and what are the effects
For entertainment, the XREAL AURA supports platforms such as YouTube, Google TV, and various streaming services. It is also possible to darken the lenses for a fully immersive experience. Original XR content has been announced, including “Nevatars” (co-directed by Andy Serkis and Josh Nelson Youssef), “Galapagos: the Last Eden” narrated by Margot Robbie, and a version of “The Nutcracker” by the San Francisco Ballet.
Google Photos will introduce a spatial gallery within the year that will allow users to relive their memories in 3D, scrolling through photos from the entire year down to individual days. Gaming is supported via Android titles available on Google Play and the ability to connect portable consoles or PCs via Wired Mirroring. Gemini can also provide tips for overcoming complex game levels.
Among the titles announced for the platform are “Fallout Factions” and “Project Hail Mary: Journey Among the Stars”. The XREAL AURA is available for pre-order in the United States, Canada, and South Korea starting October 28 at a price of $1,099 (offer valid until the end of the year). Pre-orders will begin on November 2 in Japan. Shipments are expected to start from mid-November.
Source and further reading on XREAL AURA: original article.
* Content created with the assistance of artificial intelligence systems.